Documents required for Visa interview?

[HoneyBadger26 56]

Hi All! Finally got our welcome letter today; I've gone and paid the AOS/IV fees, so just waiting for those to process.

 

I am putting together packets for the medical and the interview, and just have a question or two.

 

One of the docs the website says is needed for the interview is:

• Original or certified copies of birth certificates for all children of the principal applicant (even if he or she is not accompanying).

My husband's son is 18 - is this still required? We are already having to wait for my husband's birth cert, so want to get his son's ordered if necessary.

 

The list also calls for adoption papers

• If you are adopted: Adoption papers or custody documents, English translation, and a photocopy.

My husband was adopted when he was six - they really want adoption papers from 40 years ago?

 

Also, are all the original docs returned (either at the end of the interview, or by mail), and the consulate just keeps the copies? The ex-wife has a copy of their son's birth cert, and if they're returned then we could borrow that one. Thanks in advance!

[JeanneAdil 6,498]

if you are told to have it, then comply'

i had to have for my son's in their late 30's 

originals back then sent to USCIS in RFE but given back to husband at the interview

adoption from that far back /perhaps  a record of the adoption ???  this one i have no experience but its asking  a bit much

[Mike E 11,739]

If you do not have originals of these documents hope for the best, but expect the worst: RFE.

 

Bring a photocopy and original. Leave the photocopy with the CO, and keep the original. Rarely the CO will want to hold the original for a deeper look, and if so, it will be returned.

 

Of course the original passport of the beneficiary will likely be kept by the CO until a visa is added to it.

[pushbrk 12,882]

59 minutes ago, HoneyBadger26 said:

Hi All! Finally got our welcome letter today; I've gone and paid the AOS/IV fees, so just waiting for those to process.

 

I am putting together packets for the medical and the interview, and just have a question or two.

 

One of the docs the website says is needed for the interview is:

• Original or certified copies of birth certificates for all children of the principal applicant (even if he or she is not accompanying).

My husband's son is 18 - is this still required? We are already having to wait for my husband's birth cert, so want to get his son's ordered if necessary.

 

The list also calls for adoption papers

• If you are adopted: Adoption papers or custody documents, English translation, and a photocopy.

My husband was adopted when he was six - they really want adoption papers from 40 years ago?

 

Also, are all the original docs returned (either at the end of the interview, or by mail), and the consulate just keeps the copies? The ex-wife has a copy of their son's birth cert, and if they're returned then we could borrow that one. Thanks in advance!

Those instructions do not have age or time qualifiers.

 

[HoneyBadger26 56]

48 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

if you are told to have it, then comply'

i had to have for my son's in their late 30's 

originals back then sent to USCIS in RFE but given back to husband at the interview

adoption from that far back /perhaps  a record of the adoption ???  this one i have no experience but its asking  a bit much

I wouldn't even know where to start with the adoption - we have a copy of the adoption order from his military record, but his mom passed four years ago and there is no telling what his dad has thrown away or kept. I guess we are going to have to dig, or find a way to get new copies.

[Mike E 11,739]

9 minutes ago, HoneyBadger26 said:

I wouldn't even know where to start with the adoption - we have a copy of the adoption order from his military record, but his mom passed four years ago and there is no telling what his dad has thrown away or kept. I guess we are going to have to dig, or find a way to get new copies.

You always start here:

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country/Canada.html

 

And I think you will be OK:

 

Due to the difficulty in obtaining adoption records, U.S. diplomatic posts in Canada usually do not require adopted applicants to obtain their adoption records for visa purposes unless the adoption record is essential to demonstrating the relationship through which a benefit is claimed. However, U.S. posts reserve the right to request them if the circumstances of the case require it. Applicants who need to obtain pre-adoption birth records and adoption orders should use the contacts listed below.

Edited July 24, 2023 by Mike E

[pushbrk 12,882]

10 minutes ago, HoneyBadger26 said:

I wouldn't even know where to start with the adoption - we have a copy of the adoption order from his military record, but his mom passed four years ago and there is no telling what his dad has thrown away or kept. I guess we are going to have to dig, or find a way to get new copies.

Adoptions are public records.  Request from the government entity that owns the record.  Obtaining public records from the government owner is a standard part of the process.

Edited July 24, 2023 by pushbrk

[HoneyBadger26 56]

Thanks everyone - we were able to find the application to fill out and mail to the Office of the Registrar General; even though it was mentioned that they don't usually require them for Canada, we are going to request anyway just in case. Because Murphy's Law lol

 

Thank you all for your input and advice!!!